Each and everyday I hear and see the misery that many people are experiencing due to a myriad of reasons. In my life, there have been many periods of confusion, darkness, and despair. When a person is engulfed in that muck, (which is truly the deception of Satan) it is difficult for them to see an answer. It is difficult for them to evenbelieve there is an answer.
The answer is, and always was…God. He is right there for all of us, and reaches out to us in so many ways. The problem is, we feel empty and helpless, refusing to take that first step that will lead to joy and true peace in our hearts. We tend to see the thought of growth in our faith, or even personal growth, as overwhelming, so we just continue to wallow in our own misery and pain.
Lent is just around the corner. Make a choice to take the tiniest step…I promise it will only take a few minutes of your day. However, as I have found, those few minutes might just take a hold of your heart, mind and soul. It just might give you a flicker of hope.
Maybe it’s time to take that step.
Little habits added to our day, can lead to changes in our thinking, our faith life, and our life in general.
Today’s thought/February 26: “…The closer we live to God, the closer we are bound to our neighbor; the farther we are fom God, the farther we are from one another…”Wow, maybe that is the reason for the anger, vitriol, and division that we are seeing around us.
Maybe, to make a difference in this world, and to be truly happy, we should be seeking the God who is patiently waiting for us to invite Him in.
Being that Lent is approaching, I am attempting to learn more about my faith, and I came across this podcast of Fr. Chad Ripperger.
Fr. Ripperger is a Theologian, Psychologist, Philosopher, Author and Exorcist. This talk contains information on Spiritual Warfare that I was not aware of. Listening to Fr. Ripperger’s teaching, not only explains the world culture we are living in now, but also explains how we can grow as Christians/Catholics, so we will be be ready for the Spiritual Battle that is happening within us and all around us.
I hope that you take the time to listen, learn, grow, and pass on to those in your life that need this information.
Valentine’s Day is a sweet reminder in our daily lives of the love that we are blessed with. For me personally, the day touches my heart in a special way with gratitude for all the people that have touched my life… my family and friends, and especially my husband, Joe.
The special love I speak of is not the kind that requires red roses, diamonds, or chocolates. Those things are nice and always appreciated, however, this is much deeper than any of those types of gifts can convey.
So Joe…this is my Valentine thank you for the real love you show me each and every day; the way that you help me to see the beauty in myself. That true love can only be inspired and sourced in the Holy Spirit…thank you for your faith and openness to be a vessel of His love.
Some of the ways you show me that I am loved:
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
You have a quiet confidence that allows you to be happy and supportive toward others. Even when I am off track or floundering…you are my “even keel”.
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Your deep, thoughtful desire to help, honor and respect all the ones God places in your daily life amazes and inspires me.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
When I get overwhelmed with the negative of an event or situation, you always help me to see past it and focus on the good. Many times you help me see past my own flaws and weaknesses, and help me to see the goodness within myself.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
You are my safe haven in this life, and we are united in hope and perseverance to become the people the Lord intends us to be for his divine plan.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
The Lord has blessed us with Himself, and through his love, mercy and grace, the love we share will never fail. You will always be in my heart… in this life and the next.
I love you, Joe! And by the way, Happy Valentine’s Day!
During the time when the government imposed lockdowns and mandates, due to the corona virus, many of us experienced suffering and misery.
Much of this suffering was due to the virus itself, however, much long lasting misery was based on many other issues caused by the isolation imposed on all of us.
Parents and grandparents were kept away from their families, many suffered and died alone, and many family members and friends were not allowed to celebrate birthdays, marriages, anniversaries, Holidays, or funerals with their loved ones. This precious time is forever lost to them.
Gatherings with family and friends were “allowed” if all were masked up and 6 feet apart, even when outdoors. Does anyone else see how silly this was?
We all listened and obeyed “for the good of others.” This was the time where many people started to eye eachother as “walking germ spreaders,” and started to label and demean each other…spewing hatred as to whether a person was masked up or not, if someone dared to stand too close, or whether or not the person was vaccinated.
Small businesses were shut down, however, large businesses were “allowed” to stay open. Hmmm.
Bishops and Pastors allowed their Church doors to be locked…no Holy Masses and no Sacraments for the faithful.
Shame on them (supposed shepherds) for being so weak as to allow this evil to occur!
In the meantime, while our Church was locked down, my husband and I noticed something interesting while we walked through the downtown area where we lived. Victoria Secret was open for business! So our government, in its wisdom, deemed our Churches as non-essential…however, Victoria Secret was “essential?” Liquor stores remained open…no matter what their size.
Could you see any logic in this? I couldn’t…they knew exactly what they were doing when they closed small businesses and our Churches.
Have you noticed that the masses turned away from their faith, and allowed fear to dictate what they believed and followed? Have you noticed that those same people would not even watch or hear anything different from the narrative of the day?
Very concerning.
Anyway, during this time of craziness, a funny thing happened. While my Church was closed down, I discovered Catholic Priests who were not afraid to speak the Truth… on YouTube. Priests who dared to teach the traditional Catholic Faith and Catechism. Men who were not afraid to question what was being forced upon us…as a Church, nation and world.
I realized that I had a choice where life and my faith were concerned.
I could remain in ignorance and darkness, or I could choose to be open to The Holy Spirit.
I chose The Holy Spirit.
My purpose is not to argue or cause division. The purpose is to share The Truth…what you choose for your life, and that of your family, is between you and God. However, each of our choices touches and affects The Body of Christ…His Church.
Choose wisely.
Pray for faith, mercy, courage, knowledge, love and wisdom. Pray for the strength to be open to the prodding of The Holy Spirit, and for the strength to make changes in your own life.
The things that need changed are the blotches of darkness in our souls…the very things we strive to hide and ignore. Pray for The Holy Spirit to illuminate those dark spots. Acknowledge, confess, repent and make the needed changes regarding those weaknesses/sins.
Go to your Priest and ask him to pray over you.
This is the time….WAKE UP from your slumber!
If you are confused, depressed, angry, or numb…you are living under the oppression of Satan.
FIGHT! Get appropriate help from mental health professionals. Don’t ignore your issues…CONFRONT and make changes!Turn your whole heart and soul to Jesus, and His (and our) Blessed Mother. Ask for their help in your fight against your personal demons. They are waiting for you to ask for their help, and invite them into your life.
The most important step is to close the doors you have opened to the evil one. You know what those doors are…you know… the things you hide from others, and try to hide from yourself and try to excuse away.
Stop trying to hide your darkness from yourself…and from God. He already knows your struggle…He knows where the struggle came from. Jesus is waiting for you to give it all up to Him.
Don’t wait too much longer. None of us know how long we have on this earth.
You make your decision…I have chosen Jesus and look forward to an eternity with Him and all of His Saints and Angels.
I pray that you make the choice for Jesus…choosing light and not the darkness.
Do not be afraid of The Truth! The Truth will set you free.
Some of the Catholic Priests who are true shepherds that you can search for on YouTube:
Fr. Altman
Fr. Vincent Lampert
Fr. Michael O’Connor
Fr. Nolan: Those who are ignorant of the past are bound to repeat it
Over the last few days, I have been reading the stories of women that were actually told that they were ugly when they were young. It is so evil and sad that any person would spew those lies to a child or young woman. It is devastating.
I feel compelled to share this post from a few years ago with you:
Today I am especially feeling the loving touch of the Holy Spirit through my whole being. And through that Spirit, I am being led to share some loving words from our Heavenly Father. This is a love letter to you, His precious daughter.
Beautiful one, this is for you:
When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Do you pick apart each facet of your physical body, and compare yourself to other women? Do you feel inadequate or inferior; sometimes even feeling as though you are hideous in one way or another? Do you sometimes feel ugly inside, like if people really knew you, they would realize how ugly you truly are?
The next time you look into the mirror, I want you to try something different.
I want you to see yourself through MY Eyes.
You were loved long before you were formed in your mother’s womb. Each detail of what makes you “you” is like a brushstroke on the canvas of a great masterpiece. You were bathed in my loving light as you developed and grew in exactly the way you were meant to. You are my special and lovely jewel.
You are beloved.
When you were born, heaven rejoiced! Such a beautiful, sweet baby you were, my daughter. Did you know the angels held you, and you were comforted by the tender love of Jesus? In your helplessness and vulnerability, you were being loved and carried by a power so loving and beautiful, that sometimes you couldn’t help but smile or sigh. Such an exquisitely beautiful baby you were!
As a little girl, you grew and brought me such joy. Your zest for life, and your amusing antics. The way your hair caught the light when you were playing gleefully, or the way it matted up after your nap. Your beautiful innocence was shown through your bright, clear eyes. Those eyes that touched me deeply because they showed the honesty of what was inside your heart.
Then you grew, and ready or not, you were a teenager! I know those were difficult and confusing years for you. I was right there with you, through everything. When you were trying to fit in, and not seeing or feeling your true worth, you sometimes wondered where I was. There were times when you were hurting, confused and lonely. I was there, holding you in my arms, and loving you, even when you did not feel me with you. You were a beautiful bouquet of so many special characteristics that are yours and yours alone.
You didn’t see it at the time, however, all of what you were then was evidence of the beauty that was already a part of you, deeply rooted in your heart and the love I have always had for you. That beauty was about to spill over, illuminating your physical being…laying the foundation of the woman you are now.
What do I see when I look at you?
I see a beautiful woman of strength and character. You have enjoyed many happy moments in your life, and also suffered through deep pain and anguish. You have felt so weak and powerless at times…that is exactly when I carried you through. If only you can fully realize that every single detail of you is beautiful and deeply loved. You were not meant to be anything else. You were created simply to be YOU.
Do not look to the world to see your true beauty, for the world’s view is veiled and tainted.
Look to Me.
Let go, and allow yourself to rest in my peace and love. Submit yourself to me…all of who you are. All of your strengths and weaknesses. Your joys, your sorrows. Your accomplishments, your failures. Trust me – I will work all of the brush strokes of your life into the great masterpiece of my Divine Plan.
You are my beloved daughter, sparkling with a beauty more dazzling than the most precious gem imaginable.
You are loved.
Always,
Your Heavenly Father
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Jeremiah 1:5
Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 1 Peter 3:3-4
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